---
title: "Wolves: Ruben Vinagre attracts Benfica interest"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-ruben-vinagre-attracts-benfica-interest/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-04-13T19:30:22Z"
modified: "2021-04-13T19:30:22Z"
---

# Wolves: Ruben Vinagre attracts Benfica interest

**SL Benfica harbour a ‘strong interest’ in Wolves defender Ruben Vinagre, according to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-benfica-set-sights-on-signing-special-wolves-loan-star-vinagre/).**

He started two of Wolves’ first three Premier League fixtures this season, lining-up in the defeats to Manchester City and West Ham, but when Rayan Ait-Nouri came in, Vinagre sealed a loan move to Olympiacos.

### Vinagre’s mixed fortunes on loan

That deal included [an option to buy](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54415258), but it didn’t work out in Greece. He made only [two league appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ruben-vinagre/leistungsdaten/spieler/357158) before the loan was cut short at the mid-point of the season.

Another loan move was agreed in January, this time to lower mid-table Liga NOS outfit Famalicao. The 22-year-old has established himself as a [consistent starter](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ruben-vinagre/leistungsdaten/spieler/357158) this time.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”339694″\]

Benfica, who were knocked out by Arsenal in the Europa League Round of 32, have seemingly been impressed with his displays in Portugal, as a Wolves source has told Football Insider of ‘strong interest’ in the youngster.

Wolves paid [£2million](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ruben-vinagre/transfers/spieler/357158) to sign Vinagre from AS Monaco in July 2018 and could more than double their money through a sale, considering he boasts a [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ruben-vinagre/leistungsdaten/spieler/357158) value of £4.5million and still [three years left](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ruben-vinagre/profil/spieler/357158) on his contract.

### Transfer Tavern verdict

It’s clear that Vinagre isn’t part of Nuno’s plans going forward. Jonny, when fit, Ait-Nouri and Marcal are all ahead of him in the pecking order and aforementioned, his contract situation could actually allow Wolves to earn a small profit on a move that simply hasn’t worked out.

The Portuguese Under-21 international failed to show that he has what it takes to be a consistent starter in the Premier League, but his level is surely higher than the 13th-placed side in Portugal, given Benfica’s interest.

Perhaps the Molineux outfit could insert a buy-back or sell-on clause if he does make the move, just in case he starts racking up the accolades with the 37-time Primeira Liga champions.

**In other news, [fans slammed the display of one of Vinagre’s compatriots on Friday](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/wolves-fans-discuss-update-about-ruben-vinagre-wolves-newsnow/).**